Economic exclusives

We put Asia in focus with major economic players from HSBC Bank and China's Dagong ratings agency.

First of all, yes there is such a thing as an economic exclusive! I admit, they're not going to excite everyone ... but these are people whose opinions not only matter, but influence the direction of economics. So for a little old show like ours, they're a big deal!

First of all, Stephen King from HSBC Bank. He is their chief economist, and a thoroughly nice man to go with it. We caught up a year ago here in Doha discovered than (among major economic matters) that I'd lived in the next street to him when in London a few years back. Not important I'll grant you, but it helps with rapport!

Stephen has an excellent way of explaining the big picture, and he does that for us on the issues of Asia (which is the focus of our show) and the current situations in Europe and the US. A year ago when I spoke to him he was touting the rise of Asia, and he was right.

Also we have an exclusive interview with China's Dagong credit ratings agency. Chances are you haven't heard of it, but I think its opinion will soon be valued up there with the Big three - Moody's, Fitch, and Standard & Poor's.

Dagong is a non-Western based agency, which made waves by announcing it didn't feel the US deserved its AAA credit rating - which may be one of those things which many people are thinking, but only Dagong was brave enough to come out and say on an official level.

All that, plus me dear friend Barbara Serra who has filed a report from Spain, as austerity comes to town. It was inevitable, but still is likely to be a rude shock to the Spanish people ... just like it was for the Greeks ... and the Romanians ... and the British ... and who-knows-how-many-more European nations!

Remember, 1430GMT is out first broadcast on Friday ... we'll see you then!

Counting the Cost can be seen each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 1430, 2130; Saturday: 0300, 1230; Sunday: 0630, 1930; Monday: 0030, 0730.